Lord Howarth of Newport Portrait

Lord Howarth of Newport

Labour - Life peer

Became Member: 15th June 2005

Left House: 10th September 2025 (Death)


Lord Howarth of Newport is not an officer of any APPGs
2 APPG Memberships
Creative Health, Writers
9 Former APPG Officer Positions
Arts and Heritage, Arts, Health and Wellbeing, Creative Health, Drug Policy Reform, Health in all Policies, Kyrgyzstan, Limits to Growth, Mindfulness, Norfolk Island
Constitution Committee
1st Jul 2019 - 31st Jan 2023
Political Polling and Digital Media Committee
29th Jun 2017 - 20th Mar 2018
Intergovernmental Organisations Committee
15th Nov 2007 - 7th Jul 2008
Intelligence and Security Committee of Parliament
30th Jul 2001 - 11th Jul 2005
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Culture, Media and Sport) (Arts)
28th Jul 1998 - 7th Jun 2001
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Education and Employment)
6th May 1997 - 28th Jul 1998
Social Security
27th Nov 1995 - 21st Mar 1997
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department of Education and Science)
24th Jul 1989 - 28th Nov 1992
Lord Commissioner (HM Treasury) (Whip)
27th Jul 1988 - 24th Jul 1989
Assistant Whip (HM Treasury)
18th Jun 1987 - 25th Jul 1988
Vice-Chair, Conservative Party
1st Jul 1980 - 1st Jul 1981


Division Voting information

Lord Howarth of Newport has voted in 1570 divisions, and 15 times against the majority of their Party.

8 May 2018 - European Union (Withdrawal) Bill - View Vote Context
Lord Howarth of Newport voted No - against a party majority and against the House
One of 3 Labour No votes vs 82 Labour Aye votes
Tally: Ayes - 245 Noes - 218
30 Apr 2018 - European Union (Withdrawal) Bill - View Vote Context
Lord Howarth of Newport voted No - against a party majority and in line with the House
One of 5 Labour No votes vs 50 Labour Aye votes
Tally: Ayes - 202 Noes - 260
7 Mar 2017 - European Union (Notification of Withdrawal) Bill - View Vote Context
Lord Howarth of Newport voted No - against a party majority and in line with the House
One of 9 Labour No votes vs 22 Labour Aye votes
Tally: Ayes - 131 Noes - 336
16 Jan 2015 - Assisted Dying Bill [HL] - View Vote Context
Lord Howarth of Newport voted Aye - against a party majority and against the House
One of 21 Labour Aye votes vs 64 Labour No votes
Tally: Ayes - 107 Noes - 180
16 Jan 2015 - Assisted Dying Bill [HL] - View Vote Context
Lord Howarth of Newport voted Aye - against a party majority and against the House
One of 8 Labour Aye votes vs 52 Labour No votes
Tally: Ayes - 61 Noes - 119
15 Jan 2014 - Transparency of Lobbying, Non-Party Campaigning and Trade Union Administration Bill - View Vote Context
Lord Howarth of Newport voted Aye - against a party majority and against the House
One of 7 Labour Aye votes vs 12 Labour No votes
Tally: Ayes - 28 Noes - 148
7 Apr 2010 - Children, Schools and Families Bill - View Vote Context
Lord Howarth of Newport voted Aye - against a party majority and against the House
One of 8 Labour Aye votes vs 56 Labour No votes
Tally: Ayes - 58 Noes - 121
7 Apr 2010 - Constitutional Reform and Governance Bill - View Vote Context
Lord Howarth of Newport voted Aye - against a party majority and against the House
One of 2 Labour Aye votes vs 45 Labour No votes
Tally: Ayes - 42 Noes - 98
7 Apr 2010 - Constitutional Reform and Governance Bill - View Vote Context
Lord Howarth of Newport voted Aye - against a party majority and against the House
One of 2 Labour Aye votes vs 46 Labour No votes
Tally: Ayes - 45 Noes - 94
7 Jul 2009 - Coroners and Justice Bill - View Vote Context
Lord Howarth of Newport voted No - against a party majority and in line with the House
One of 39 Labour No votes vs 69 Labour Aye votes
Tally: Ayes - 141 Noes - 194
4 Jul 2007 - Pensions Bill - View Vote Context
Lord Howarth of Newport voted Aye - against a party majority and in line with the House
One of 25 Labour Aye votes vs 81 Labour No votes
Tally: Ayes - 179 Noes - 86
4 Jul 2007 - Pensions Bill - View Vote Context
Lord Howarth of Newport voted Aye - against a party majority and against the House
One of 1 Labour Aye votes vs 109 Labour No votes
Tally: Ayes - 73 Noes - 116
22 Feb 2022 - Procedure and Privileges Committee - View Vote Context
Lord Howarth of Newport voted No - against a party majority and against the House
One of 7 Labour No votes vs 64 Labour Aye votes
Tally: Ayes - 144 Noes - 133
16 Mar 2022 - Health and Care Bill - View Vote Context
Lord Howarth of Newport voted No - against a party majority and in line with the House
One of 24 Labour No votes vs 51 Labour Aye votes
Tally: Ayes - 145 Noes - 179
5 Jul 2022 - Sitting Times - View Vote Context
Lord Howarth of Newport voted Aye - against a party majority and in line with the House
One of 22 Labour Aye votes vs 44 Labour No votes
Tally: Ayes - 158 Noes - 124
View All Lord Howarth of Newport Division Votes

All Debates

Speeches made during Parliamentary debates are recorded in Hansard. For ease of browsing we have grouped debates into individual, departmental and legislative categories.

Sparring Partners
Lord McNally (Liberal Democrat)
(79 debate interactions)
Lord Bates (Conservative)
(44 debate interactions)
View All Sparring Partners
Department Debates
Wales Office
(229 debate contributions)
Ministry of Justice
(133 debate contributions)
Home Office
(116 debate contributions)
Leader of the House
(102 debate contributions)
View All Department Debates
Legislation Debates
Health and Care Act 2022
(12,813 words contributed)
Wales Act 2017
(5,975 words contributed)
European Union (Withdrawal) Act 2018
(5,015 words contributed)
View All Legislation Debates
View all Lord Howarth of Newport's debates

Lords initiatives

These initiatives were driven by Lord Howarth of Newport, and are more likely to reflect personal policy preferences.


Lord Howarth of Newport has not introduced any legislation before Parliament

Lord Howarth of Newport has not co-sponsored any Bills in the current parliamentary sitting


Latest 10 Written Questions

(View all written questions)
Written Questions can be tabled by MPs and Lords to request specific information information on the work, policy and activities of a Government Department
18th Jul 2016
To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether they will take action to support users of software that is no longer supported by the original vendor, for example by requiring the release of the source code of unsupported software to a third party.

Under the Consumer Rights Act 2015 software must be of satisfactory quality, which includes durability for a period a consumer can reasonably expect. If it is not, the consumer may be entitled to a remedy under the Act, for example, a repair or replacement of the software or, if this is not possible, the right to demand some money back. The Government has no plans to require the release of the source code of unsupported software to a third party.

Baroness Neville-Rolfe
Shadow Minister (Treasury)
7th Jun 2021
To ask Her Majesty's Government what considerations will determine when they will lift the present restrictions on the number of people who are permitted to sing in an amateur choir.

Non-professional singing indoors should only take place in a single group of up to 6 people and activities should be organised to allow for social distancing to be maintained.

We are aware that singing can increase the risk of COVID-19 transmission through the spread of aerosol droplets. Therefore, it is important that we take a cautious approach in easing restrictions. We will continue to keep guidance and restrictions under review, in line with the changing situation. The Prime Minister has announced that easing of restrictions at Step 4 has been delayed until 19 July. Further detail on Step 4 will be set out as soon as possible, subject to the four tests for easing restrictions.

Baroness Barran
Shadow Minister (Education)
4th Mar 2020
To ask Her Majesty's Government, further to the Written Answer by Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon on 18 February (HL1480), whether an Act of Parliament established Norfolk Island as a Territory of the Commonwealth of Australia; and if not, (1) how it was established as such a territory, and (2) how Parliament was consulted.

In 1914 Norfolk Island became a Territory under the authority of the Commonwealth of Australia by way of a (UK) Order in Council and the (Australian) Norfolk Island Act of 1913 (enacted by the Australian Parliament).

10th Feb 2020
To ask Her Majesty's Government whether Norfolk Island (1) was within the geographical boundaries of the Commonwealth of Australia or any State thereof when the power to make laws for Norfolk Island was given to the Commonwealth of Australia in 1914, or (2) has since become within those boundaries.

Norfolk Island has been a Territory of the Commonwealth of Australia since 1914 and its governance is a matter for that country.

19th Apr 2016
To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether they intend to discuss the Tier 1 visa system at the anti-corruption summit to be held in London in May.

The Anti-Corruption Summit, to be held on 12 May, will convene global leaders from government, business and civil society to discuss a wide range of issues relating to corruption. The agenda for the Summit is being finalised.

1st Jul 2019
To ask Her Majesty's Government on what basis they appointed the consultancy Big Ideas to increase public engagement with the UK Holocaust Memorial and Learning Centre planning application; what specific remit they gave Big Ideas in undertaking that work; and how much they expect to pay Big Ideas for those services.

Big Ideas is a community interest company specialising in community engagement and commemoration. We are providing £118,000 funding to encourage local and national conversations on the proposed UK Holocaust Memorial and Learning Centre. This work has included engaging with mother and toddler groups, schools, and clubs for the elderly alongside national engagement with survivors, youth and civic organisations. Portal engagement is only one facet of Big Ideas work.

1st Jul 2019
To ask Her Majesty's Government what was the exact wording of the questions asked by Big Ideas when seeking the views of members of the public about the proposed UK Holocaust Memorial and Learning Centre.

With the consent of Westminster City Council, Big Ideas places on the Council’s planning portal both objections and supportive comments relating to the proposed Holocaust Memorial and learning Centre. Big Ideas acts in an open and transparent way. The exact wording of the questions asked is and has always been, since their engagement, in the public domain. They can be viewed here:

https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdO4Ua3NaO6Ge3593pb7vOcaQ7htIFPDvpSEokF5A-eY5IDkA/viewform

1st Jul 2019
To ask Her Majesty's Government what methodology was used by Big Ideas to select participants in their consultation on the proposed UK Holocaust Memorial and Learning Centre.

Big Ideas were asked to encourage debate on the importance of a national Memorial to the Holocaust. This work has included engaging with mother and toddler groups, schools, and clubs for the elderly alongside national engagement with survivors, youth and civic organisations.

1st Jul 2019
To ask Her Majesty's Government what percentage of respondents to Big Ideas' consultation on the proposed UK Holocaust Memorial and Learning Centre were (1) resident, and (2) working in Westminster; and, in assessing public views on the planning application for that Centre, what assessment they have made of the relative weight that should be given to the views of (a) local people, and (b) other people whose lives would not be directly affected by that development.

This is a matter for Westminster City Council to decide.

1st Jul 2019
To ask Her Majesty's Government what is their response to the accusation of the Save Victoria Tower Gardens Campaign that they employed Big Ideas to "rig" their own planning application for a UK Holocaust Memorial and Learning Centre.

Big Ideas is being funded to encourage local and national conversations on the proposed UK Holocaust Memorial and Learning Centre. The planning decision sits with Westminster Council.